Monday's letters: Changes needed

Published: Monday, June 9, 2014 at 4:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Friday, June 6, 2014 at 6:06 p.m.

Changes needed

To the editor: Let's talk about our teachers. I went to school 60 years ago and loved school. My kids were in school 30 years ago and loved it, too, so my daughter was inspired to become a teacher. Sadly, the school system was already changing because of No Child Left Behind.

She said, “Mom, I want to teach and encourage learning,” but the administration said pass the students whether they passed or not. Teachers were becoming liars! So my daughter went back to school and became successful in a different career, sad loss for the kids!

Remember when the 600 teachers walked out? The media called it “poor salaries.” Truth: Teachers, preachers and members of the military choose their professions because they want to make a difference. Teachers didn't leave just for the money; they left because now the U.S. government controls the classroom and they are not teaching anymore.

The parents know it; the teachers know it, and the only way to change us back to the way it was is change the U.S. government. Get registered and vote for the candidates who can make those changes.

Elaine Raynolds

Lake Toxaway

Assault on hunger

To the editor: Safe's Attic, Manna Foodbank and numerous faith-based organizations have been reaching deeper than ever to make a full assault on hunger in Western North Carolina. These agencies reach out to children and their families in many creative ways.

For example, many schools may have backpack programs that provide canned and packaged foods that go home to children. In my school (I am the principal at Black Mountain Elementary School), we have even had a community volunteer who wanted to be certain that our children had fresh vegetables and fruit.

Additionally, through our federal government's nutrition programs and the support of our commissioners, our needy children are able to get free or reduced-price lunches and breakfasts at school.

Our community agencies are there to help in these hard economic times. I was so discouraged when our legislature chose to end extended unemployment benefits to people unable to find living wage employment during this slow recovery. Our representative boasted about an improved unemployment number in his legislative notes. His rhetoric doesn't house and feed the poor.

Norman Bossert

Candidate for the N.C. House 113th District

seat, Pisgah Forest

A shell game

To the editor: Let's put some perspective on Phil Berger's proposed Senate plan for an 11 percent teacher pay increase. Who will pay the cost?

Well, the teachers themselves will pay most of it because the budget slashes almost $400 million in school spending; 7,400 teacher assistants to be laid off. School nurses, transportation and other costs will be cut as well. To get the raise, teachers must forfeit their career status. Last year's attempt to eliminate tenure was ruled unconstitutional. This year's attempt will surely be challenged, and the state will spend more money to defend itself again.

The National Education Association ranks N.C. teachers No. 46; most salaries were lost in the decade preceding 2012-13, down 15 percent when adjusted for inflation. With the 11 percent increase, they will be down only 4 percent. Add two years of low inflation, and when 2014-15 is over, the average teacher salary will still be down 7 percent from the earlier period.

The proposed plan, with most of it robbed from teacher support funds, is no more than a thinly disguised GOP legislative shell game. They win; teachers and 1.5 million N.C. students lose. No matter what Raleigh says, a sow's ear is not a silk purse.

Harold Hellickson

Hendersonville

Selfless honesty

To the editor: I would like to introduce you to one of my students and brag on her for an act of selfless honesty. “April” is high school student at Balfour Education Center. Recently she lost her father tragically and unexpectedly as the result of a heart attack. Since his passing, April's family has endured financial hardships and had to make a multitude of adjustments.

Recently April was going through a bag from a local retailer. She discovered a silver wedding band inside. Not knowing how to return it to its owner, she brought it to school and asked that I return it to the retailer where she believes it came from. She handed it to me and said, “This is one of those important things that money can't replace.”

April is an outstanding representation of the students Balfour Education Center is welcoming on a regular basis. April's actions both bless and humble me. I am very proud to be her teacher and very grateful to be a part of the Balfour family that welcomes and encourages students like April every day.

<h3>Changes needed</h3>
<p>To the editor: Let's talk about our teachers. I went to school 60 years ago and loved school. My kids were in school 30 years ago and loved it, too, so my daughter was inspired to become a teacher. Sadly, the school system was already changing because of No Child Left Behind.</p><p>She said, “Mom, I want to teach and encourage learning,” but the administration said pass the students whether they passed or not. Teachers were becoming liars! So my daughter went back to school and became successful in a different career, sad loss for the kids!</p><p>Remember when the 600 teachers walked out? The media called it “poor salaries.” Truth: Teachers, preachers and members of the military choose their professions because they want to make a difference. Teachers didn't leave just for the money; they left because now the U.S. government controls the classroom and they are not teaching anymore.</p><p>The parents know it; the teachers know it, and the only way to change us back to the way it was is change the U.S. government. Get registered and vote for the candidates who can make those changes.</p><p><em>Elaine Raynolds</em></p><p><em>Lake Toxaway</em></p><h3>Assault on hunger</h3>
<p>To the editor: Safe's Attic, Manna Foodbank and numerous faith-based organizations have been reaching deeper than ever to make a full assault on hunger in Western North Carolina. These agencies reach out to children and their families in many creative ways.</p><p>For example, many schools may have backpack programs that provide canned and packaged foods that go home to children. In my school (I am the principal at Black Mountain Elementary School), we have even had a community volunteer who wanted to be certain that our children had fresh vegetables and fruit.</p><p>Additionally, through our federal government's nutrition programs and the support of our commissioners, our needy children are able to get free or reduced-price lunches and breakfasts at school.</p><p>Our community agencies are there to help in these hard economic times. I was so discouraged when our legislature chose to end extended unemployment benefits to people unable to find living wage employment during this slow recovery. Our representative boasted about an improved unemployment number in his legislative notes. His rhetoric doesn't house and feed the poor.</p><p><em>Norman Bossert</em></p><p><em>Candidate for the N.C. House 113th District</p><p>seat, Pisgah Forest</p><h3>A shell game</h3>
<p>To the editor: Let's put some perspective on Phil Berger's proposed Senate plan for an 11 percent teacher pay increase. Who will pay the cost?</p><p>Well, the teachers themselves will pay most of it because the budget slashes almost $400 million in school spending; 7,400 teacher assistants to be laid off. School nurses, transportation and other costs will be cut as well. To get the raise, teachers must forfeit their career status. Last year's attempt to eliminate tenure was ruled unconstitutional. This year's attempt will surely be challenged, and the state will spend more money to defend itself again.</p><p>The National Education Association ranks N.C. teachers No. 46; most salaries were lost in the decade preceding 2012-13, down 15 percent when adjusted for inflation. With the 11 percent increase, they will be down only 4 percent. Add two years of low inflation, and when 2014-15 is over, the average teacher salary will still be down 7 percent from the earlier period.</p><p>The proposed plan, with most of it robbed from teacher support funds, is no more than a thinly disguised GOP legislative shell game. They win; teachers and 1.5 million N.C. students lose. No matter what Raleigh says, a sow's ear is not a silk purse.</p><p><em>Harold Hellickson</em></p><p><em>Hendersonville</em></p><h3>Selfless honesty</h3>
<p>To the editor: I would like to introduce you to one of my students and brag on her for an act of selfless honesty. “April” is high school student at Balfour Education Center. Recently she lost her father tragically and unexpectedly as the result of a heart attack. Since his passing, April's family has endured financial hardships and had to make a multitude of adjustments.</p><p>Recently April was going through a bag from a local retailer. She discovered a silver wedding band inside. Not knowing how to return it to its owner, she brought it to school and asked that I return it to the retailer where she believes it came from. She handed it to me and said, “This is one of those important things that money can't replace.”</p><p>April is an outstanding representation of the students Balfour Education Center is welcoming on a regular basis. April's actions both bless and humble me. I am very proud to be her teacher and very grateful to be a part of the Balfour family that welcomes and encourages students like April every day.</p><p><em>Kristen Rhymer-Kicklighter, M.Ed.</em></p><p><em>Balfour Education Center, Hendersonville</em></p><p><em></em></p>